Hi everyone,
I’m here today with some less than great news about an issue that some of you may recall from the summer. I know this post is long, but it’s important and I highly suggest reading through it.
It has been brought to my attention that a problematic individual who was banned from Animethon has had his ban lifted and will now be attending A Taste of Animethon, in addition to hosting a panel.
Matthew Christopher Walcher, also known by his Tumblr URLcharismaticdegenerate, was asked to leave the Albertastuck community in the summer following a number of incidents. The post outlining some of his deeds can be found here. He is known to be aggressive and extremely manipulative.
We suggest that everyone is accompanied by at least one other person at any given time. Do not approach this man, do not go off with him, and if he is making you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to grab an Athon staff member or a friendleader for backup- though do keep in mind that the friendleaders are not bodyguards or official security, and if a physical threat arises we will not be putting ourselves in harms’ way, but we will do our best to get staff and remove you from the situation.
The Homestucks usually find a spot to gather, and at wherever that gathering spot winds up being, there will always be a friendleader there to supervise. If you’re worried about walking around the con, I am more than willing to accompany anyone who feels uncomfortable. If you feel like you might require assistance, don’t hesitate to drop me an ask so I can give you my cell number. If I’m busy or you’d rather not hang with me for whatever reason, you can also contact Sam! This offer extends to anyone- you don’t have to be cosplaying or hanging out with the Homestucks. If you’re worried about this guy, we will help you.
For the sake of everyone attending ATOA, especially those individuals who have has negative experiences with Matt previously, the Edmontonstuck friendleaders and myself are working closely with Animethon staff to ensure that everyone has a safe con. However, there is a minimum to what we and the Athon staff can do without binding, legal evidence against Matt. That’s where you come in.
I know that some of you have had experiences with Matt that have involved security or even the police. If you have any sort of documentation of the incident, I ask that you contact either myself or the Edmontonstuck friendleaders. We’re looking for anything that has legal backup – a judicial order of protection, emergency protection order, a police report with statements – things along those lines. Essentially, we need more backup than word-of-mouth.
You can also help by reblogging this post and spreading the word. Awareness is going to be our best defense at this con, since we can in no way guarantee that we can prevent Matt from attending.
However, I need to implore that you should not be sending Matt hate. Neither Calgarystuck nor Edmontonstuck condone bullying in any form, and if we find out you have been sending hate, there will be severe consequences. This also extends to the con itself- do not approach him, harass him, call out to him, whatever. We understand that you might be upset or angry, but sending hate is immature and only creates more problems. If you’re upset about the situation, please talk to us instead.
Once again, if you have anything you think could help back us up, PLEASE contact myself or Edmontonstuck before Friday. Any questions, comments or concerns should also be directed towards us.Thank you for your cooperation, and I’ll see you all at Taste.
-Lauren
Tag: but this is important
Damage
This is not my usual post. But it’s something I had to share. As you read this, imagine how your reaction would differ if this story were being told by a woman, talking about how her husband treated her.
I have been separated from my wife for over a year, though we continue to share a house. We live on separate floors. We share the house because we need to parent our son together, and because we can’t afford to maintain two households.
I’d like to tell you a story, illustrating one reason why I am divorcing her. This is an example of the treatment I have received over the past fourteen years.
This evening, while she was drinking her wine, my estranged wife took exception to the fact that I wanted to talk about how tense she’s been. She said she didn’t want to talk about it.
I left the room (so as to comply with her request).
I went upstairs to use our tiny guest bathroom. She began to yell and throw things around the kitchen, then eventually charged up the stairs and into the bathroom, just as I was finishing and getting ready to leave. She confronted me there, holding her half-full wine glass in her hand. Her voice got louder, her gestures wilder.
She complained that I had upset her by wanting to talk when she had told me she didn’t want to talk. As I began to feel uncomfortable, I said, “You’re saying it’s my fault you can’t express your emotions responsibly like an adult?”
She said, “Yes!! It’s because you want to go off and take a vacation with your girlfriend!” Then she threw the contents of her glass in my face and smashed it against my bare chest.
The results are pictured here.
I stood there, with shattered glass at my feet, glass shards sticking in my skin, bleeding, for five minutes or so. I asked her to move so that I could leave. She waved the broken stem of the glass in the air and said, “Leave!! Who’s stopping you?”
I told her she was standing between me and the door. I felt threatened.
She laughed and said, “You’re 6 foot 3 and 250 pounds! You can’t feel threatened by me!”
I said, “You just broke a glass on my chest and cut me. You’re standing there with the stem in your hands. Yes. I feel threatened.
She said, “No, you don’t.”
I asked her to move out of the way and let me pass. I didn’t want her to think I was pushing her or threatening her.
She held her ground, waved the broken stem and shouted, “Go on! Leave! I’m not stopping you!”
After I asked her repeatedly, she finally moved a bit and I left, carefully stepping over the broken glass.
I have posted this here as evidence, and to help those who may think that size and gender make a difference when abuse is concerned. People who, like my estranged, think some have permission to feel threatened and some don’t.
Abusers come in all sizes and genders.
She and I went to a half dozen therapists over the years. At each initial session, every therapist took a look at me, then at her (5’4” 150 lbs.). Then he or she would gravely ask my wife, “Do you feel safe?”
None ever thought to ask me.
Thanks for listening.
Because this needs to be shared. Because abuse is wrong no matter what. Because this saddens my heart.
🙁
honestly, fuck tumblr. if this was a woman this would be the only thing on my dash.
with that being said, fuck people who think that women are the only ones that can be abused in a relationship. and fuck crazy women, as well.
Fuck abuse. This should have the ten thousand notes that every women’s domestic abuse case has.
Regards,
IIF
I’m glad to see something like this on my dashboard finally. Not the fact that he got abused by his wife, but to show that not only women are victims of abuse (like so many women claim). It’s a shame that so many stupid people out there think -and defend- only women when it comes to abuse and not men.
Jesus christ OP that’s horrible ;n;
And yes guys, Men can be abused by woman to. It’s just men are sometimes to afraid to get help by the fact they’ll be judged as weak or as a pansy.Why the FUCK doesn’t this have several million notes like every other post about domestic violence with a godamn woman?
jesus christ..